Uprooted and confiscated 47 full-grown marijuana plants and seedlings, during a raid in Barangay Dalaupon, a mountainous and remote area, about 20 kilometers from the Tayasan town proper.
They also seized a full plastic bag of newly-harvested marijuana flower buds with leaves and a coin box containing dried marijuana leaves and seeds from Rengi de la Zerna, Roline Espraguera, Romnick Callao and Ronualdo Gador, all of Dalaupon.
Buenafe said a case for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, specifically for the cultivation of marijuana, will be filed in court against the suspects.
SK chairman Ringi dela Cerna denied the allegations and claimed he was not aware that planting marijuana is illegal under the law.
He said that he just knew that marijuana is a medicinal plant for stomachache. Records, showed though, that all of the confiscated marijuana plants were found on land owned by the Dela Cernas.
Arrested along with De la Cerna were Roline Espraguera, Romnick Callao and Ronualdo Gador. At least 47 seedlings were uprooted during the joint operation of the PNP Provincial Command, Ayungon police station, 705th Mobile Group, and 61st IB of the Philippine Army in Tayasan.
PNP provincial director, S/Supt. Melvin Buenafe, said they will continue to monitor the area in Tayasan and Guihulngan towns where there are reports of marijuana plantations.
He said that in early April, they received reports that some residents in Barangay Dalaupon harvested 300 full-grown marijuana plants and reportedly delivered them to some parts of the province.
Buenafe said most of the areas planted with marijuana are secluded and are purposely hidden under shrubs or mixed with other crops.
He said this kind of business is growing boldly in these areas as some suspects are reportedly selling marijuana during agri-trade fairs every weekends, in Barangay Nabilog, in Tayasan.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police Provincial command will conduct an in-depth investigation to determine the identity of a certain "Nilo" who allegedly supplied the marijuana seeds in Tayasan, Buenafe added.
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